Salsa

History and Origins 

Salsa is a hybrid musical genre based on Afro-Cuban music that also incorporates different elements from various Latin American Styles. It started developing in New York City during the 1940s and 1950s but it was not until the 1960s that this genre of music received its official name. In the 1970s this genre became more popular along with the spread of Hispanic Cultural Identity.

The word “Salsa” means “sauce” in English and is usually a mixture of ingredients made to flavor the food, which in some type of way has similarities to this musical genre, since this genre is a mixture of different elements. This genre of music is strongly influenced by Cuban Culture and also incorporates a lot of elements from Puerto Rican Culture. At the same time Jazz and Rock also played an important role in the creation of this unique genre. This genre has a lot of diversity because styles such as: Bolero, Rhumba, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha composed and contributed to what today we know as Salsa. 

Although we can find all of these rhythms and styles in the Salsa genre. The roots of  Salsa come from Son Cubano, which is a style of Afro-Cuban music. This genre has contributed to the basis of most forms of Salsa music and Latin Jazz. It originated in eastern Cuba and is a mixture of European and African instruments and musical traditions. Afro-Cuban music spread widely in Latin American countries and this is why these countries have such a big influence in this genre of music. 

Despite its spreading throughout Latin America, the Son Cubano had its transformation to Salsa in New York City. This transformation started in the 1940s with the contributions of Frank Grillo also known in the industry of the music as “Machito” and his orchestra. Machito was a Cuban American musician and singer who laid the foundation for the Afro-Cuban Jazz style. He blended Afro-Cuban styles with Jazz and created a new style of music. His contribution was so important that it opened the door to many new artists and changed the genre in an impactful way.

This is a sample of what he accomplished by combining these two musical genres. 

Another important figure in the genre was Celia Cruz. Úrsula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso better known as Celia Cruz was a Cuban American singer that for decades was known in the industry as the “Queen of Salsa Music”. She started with Afro-Cuban dance music in the 1960s and then transitioned into Salsa. She was the female star of 1970s New York’s Latino immigrant music scene and through her music she wanted to transmit the sound of the Afro-Cuban music and the swing of Cuba’s Pre-Revolutionary big band era. She was such a big artist in the history of Latin music and broke so many musical and social patterns that today her work is remembered and admired by the entire Latin community. She not only helped music evolve, but also left a living legacy and doors open for new Latin talent. 

She has many famous songs but one I think is really significant is “Guantanamera”. This song is part of Cuba Identity and with Celia Cruz interpretation this song became known around the world. In this song you can also notice how her music evolves with the passage of time. 

Héctor Lavoe was another great exponent of Salsa music and another singer who contributed greatly to the evolution of this genre. He was also known as “The singer of the Singers” and “The Voice” and he was part of the generation of musicians that helped shape the Salsa genre. He was also part of the first record company for Latin talent; in 1964 Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Masucci partnered together to found the label Fania All Stars. This label brought together artists like Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, José Feliciano, Rubén Blades, Héctor Lavoe and many others; all great artists who contributed to the growth of this genre. Thanks to this label Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón started working together and made this genre of music more popular in the Latin communities and around the world. 

Here is a really popular song called “El día de mi suerte” by Héctor Lavoe and Willie Colón

What is Salsa Music?

Salsa is a musical genre that took form in the United States but that is composed of elements from different Latin American cultures. It is a really diverse genre that has been through a really big process of evolution through the years. Countries like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama and others in Latin America have contributed to this diversity and growth. It’s a very rich blend of different styles such as: Son Cubano, Bolero, Rhumba, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, danzón, guaracha, Son Montuno, Cumbia and Latin Jazz. 

Characteristics of Salsa Music 

• Bell patterns: Percussionists play bell patterns on handled claves.

• Afro-Cuban Rhythms: Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms are really important in the Salsa because these rhythms trace their roots back to Africa. Instruments like bongos, timbales and conga drums are used to produce these rhythms.

• Spanish-language lyrics: Salsa is characterized by the lyrics in Spanish since this is a big and important genre in Latin American Countries. The Puerto Rican Salsa is usually about love and romance and the Colombian Salsa is usually about celebrating the culture. 

• Influence of Latin American styles: some styles that are influential on salsa are merengue, rumba, Brazilian samba and bolero.

Classic Salsa Instruments 

 Here is a list of some instruments that are usually used when it comes to playing Salsa.

• Vocals (singers) 

•  Piano 

• Guitar 

• Trumpet 

• Trombone 

• Saxophone 

• Double bass

• Congas 

• Bongos 

• Timbales 

• Claves 

• Cowbell 

• Maracas 

• Guiro

Finally, I would like to share with you some of the salsa artists that keep the genre growing and evolving and keep it alive with their music. 

Puerto Rican Salsa Artists 

Marc Anthony 

Gilberto Santa Rosa

Colombian Salsa Artists

Joe Arroyo

Grupo Niche

References 

Cantor-Navas, J. (2019, October 21). 10 eternal Celia Cruz songs. Billboard. 

https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/ten-eternal-celia-cruz-songs-7865862/ 

Cashion, S. V. (2021, September 24). Salsa. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/salsa-music

López-Rodríguez, R. (2018, April 8). The singers of the singers: The legacy og Héctor Lavoe and latin music. Stmu Research Scholars. 

https://stmuscholars.org/the-singer-of-singers-the-legacy-of-hector-lavoe-in-latin-music/

MasterClass. (2021, November 2). Guide to salsa music: A brief history of the salsa genre.

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-salsa-music

MasterClass. (2021, November 2). Guide to son cubano: A brief history of the son cubano genre. 

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-son-cubano

National Museum of African American History & Culture. Frank “Machito” Grillo. 

https://nmaahc.si.edu/latinx/frank-machito-grillo 

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2022, October 17). Celia Cruz. Britannica. 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Celia-Cruz 

Waxer, L. (2001). Salsa. Grove Music Online. 

https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001

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